davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
The Passion for Gaming.

The extent to which the vice of gamb- ling prevails Qostered by prevalent habits of bctting) is amazing. It is equally the curse of high and of low, of the drawing-room and the drinking sa- loon, of the board of trade and tho den of thieves. It fastcns its fangs with equal fcrocity upon the cultivated intel- lect and upon the brutal slave of pas sion. One would think that men who are supposed to respect themselves would disdain to be amused by that which delights the offscouring of tho earth, that it would be impossible for them to take pleasure in the pursuits of the out casts of society. But the infatuation of gambling seems to degrade all to the same level. ' It is the devils ideal of equality. --[Living Church.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Curlositics of Fire.

What is fret asks writer in the Pittsburg Dispatch. Any dictionary or work on chemistry will give dcfiui- tion, but even the fullest definition leaves much to be desired. Fire is the evidence of rapid chemical change, but all chemical changes do not pro- duco it. Even combustible sul st,nces combine chemically without fl me. Illuminating flames arc due to tho presence in them of solid particles, usually of carbon. X
 |, Water, tho common agent for ex- .sanguishing fires, is itself composed of stwe inhsmmable gases, which, when erure, bura readily. Oxygen is q nat . urA supporter ofcombustion, and, com bined with hydrogen in the oxyhydrogcn bl9t pipe, an intense flsmo is produced. A fortune awaits the inventor who will discover some cheap method of separat- ing water into its gases and burning them. .a,
 Mmoist hand caiH Do passed through lnolssn iron withoutsburning, film of steam being evolved, that prevents contact with the metal. In like manner guncotton can be burnel on the hand and no heat felt. the moisture absorb ing the heat as fast as it is evolved.
 A lecture reported in a recent number of the Scientific American Supplement contains the following statements;
 ! "Somc may imagine that if solid body is surrounded by flame, the fl ,mo touches it. This is altogether q mistake there IS space between the two which it is impossible to pass, cold and famc- less zone which surrounds the cold sur face and which is quite impossible to flame under any conditions, and which l most seriously obstructs the work of keatipg..' To prove that this impossible cold zone exists beyond any doubt l take copper vessel containing water, and on the side of this vessel I paste a thin paper label. Oa this will direct the powerful f1emc, which you have seen will fuse wrought iron instantly, and the paper remains untouched, without g trace of singeing." .....
 The singing aames' are easily pro- duced by burning gas jet midway ofo Hong glass tube open at both ends. Tho result is musical note the pitch ol which can be made higher or lower as l the jet is raised or lowered. Tho sensi- 1 fiveness of fame to sound is also easily Illustrated. Flames from gas jets will raise and lower in unison with the musi- cal strains of a brass band.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Lifa,S Contrasts.

-.e Van Buren street bridge swung between life and death yesterday. Just as the big structure left the street ap- breaches black hearse with dream!ess sleeper within it's heavy glass sides drew up near the east edge of the river. At the same moment hack, containing a tow-headed bride and an ungainly- looking groom, dashed up to the west approach. A propeller steamed through the draw, the bridge returned to the ap brooches and the drivers of hearse and hack passed so close to one another that they could have shaken hands. -[Chi- csoo Heral1.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08

Some time since number of persons went from Glasgow to Loch Fyne in Scotland to sec large blasting opera iion, in which six and one-half tons of sunpowder were exploded. A short lime after tho explosion many of tho observers became faint six of the Dum- Der died almost immediately, one died shortly afterward, and five others were very sick, but recovered. The cause of death is believed to have been the cubonic oxide generated from the gum powder. It is estimated that the amount must have been 46s pounds-a quantity. sufficient to occupy 6335 cubic feet of air space, or to vitiate for respi- iatory purposes space 100 times as reat. There were also generated 557J pounds of carbonic anhydride; SO that, in all, there were i, 266, 900 feet of ail :cndcrcd irrcspirab,e.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Counting With a Brass Baud.

''Charley, I hear your girl has gone back on you"
 '"That's right"
 "What was tho trouble2'
 'She got mad because courted her with brass band"
 "Well, that was a peculiar method but I should think she would have felt complimented rather than angry"
 ''She didp't. She said she wouldn't have any thing 10 do with fellow who couldn't come to the front with solid gold ring" Washington Critic.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Varieties of Corn.

Some writers assert that maize, or h. dian corn, was known in the early history Of the world to the Chinese, founding their theory on drawings of similar grain in ancient Chinese manuscripts. If this were true, the culture of the grain was wholly lost in later years. There has been much discussion on the subject, but Alphonse de Candollc, who may be regarded as an authority on the subject, in his valuable work, "Origin of Culti- vated Plauts," says: 'Maize is of Ameri- can origin, and was not introduced into the old world until after the dis covery of the new" It was found by the first explorers of the western hemis-s sphere to be in cultivation by the na- tivcs, from New England to Chili, but it is thought to havo orlgnated in tho high lands of Peru and Bolivia, as traces of it have been found there in ancient tombs aud in geological deposits with the earli- est traces traces of man in that locality. As to the present existing varieties of corn, it may be noted tlat the maize plant is affected in remarkable degree by climate and soil, and a local variety can be established at any time by the selection and continuous sowing for a few years, of seed showing any striking peculiarity. All tho varieties in culti- vatlon in the United States, from the smallest kind of popcorn to the enor- nous specimens of maize grown in the western and southern states, arc but one species, and owe their differences to pe- culiarties of climate and soil and to continued selection in cultivation.-In- | ter. Ocean
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Man With a Biz Appetite.

There is funny little old man in Es- sex, Mass, who is always eating. Three meals day are only an aggravation to his appetite. He will rise at o'clock in the morning and eat slice of meat,
 somc eggs several pieces of bread, cut of ham and perh aps e few potatoes. At o'clock he eats a hearty breakfast, at he has another. About 10 he begins to grow hungry again. And 50. like m averaging Nemesis, hunger chases him day and night. He h always craving food, and yet moro than ono rcputabls physiciAn eeys ths mn ia perlcctl. xells
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08

There is now littlo doubt that 1887 will be the biggest building year that this country has ever known in railroads,
 factories, and other houses. It is now estimated that 21, 900 miles of new and
 19,00O miles of old railway track will bo laid this year-thus affording the iron furnances and steel rolling and rail mills an abundance of work. The cost of these railroads is estimated at $533, 900, 900 for the new and S1O0, 900, 900 for the old roads-or say $650, 900, 900 of capital needed for the railroads alone.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08

In Russia it is said sui ;ides are in- crcasing in numbsr,< Every year. The pro- portiea to the pepulasi9n is now greater in St. Petersburg than in any other European capital. Of late years even boys and girls from eight to sixteen take their own lives, generally on tho idea of cruel treatment of-.their- parents. The causes assigned for this state of things are the wretched social conditions Of modern Russian life and tho pessimis:c views and anarchist tendencies embraced by many in early years.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08

A new clement in Chinese life in San
 Francisco is the gradual adoption of American habits, costumes and relig- ions by the younger female class. The Chinese maiden of the period bangs her hair, wears belts and boots, and com promises the costume of celestial mammas and aunties in every way possible except by discarding it downright and in few cases this has actually been done, One reason flor the boots, belts and. bangs. is found in the association of young girls, after a fashion, with American children of their own sex, chiefly through the medium of the Sunday and weekday schools sup
 ported by the religious societies in San Francisco. Where Chinese girls have ,bcen SO untrue to the traditions of their race as to appear in the fuil costume oi the .'white aliens" they. have usually S been at once set outside the pole oi Chinese social life, and the scandalized relatives have rslinquished all claims or thsm to shs white educators who have rrtsken. fhsir mindA anA sesla iA charge.
 {. -
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Ways of Breathing.

A4ere are lazy ways of Breathing and one sided ways of breathing and the par ticularly bad habit of breathing through the mouth. Now the nose was meant to breathe through, and is marvellously ar ranged for Altering the impurities out of the air and for changing it to suitable temperature for entering the lungs. The mouth has no such apparatus and when the air is swallowed through the m. 9th instead of breathed through the nose it has an injurious effect upon tn, lungs.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08

The largest electric light in the world is that of the Sydney Lighthouse, Aus tralia- Ithas a power of 1so, 900 can dies and is visibla for fifty miles. The light in the Palais HIndustrie has 15O,- : GOO candle power. arseillcs has an electric light of 40, ooo candle power. The largest light in America is at San Jose, Cal It is A, 900 cabdle power, and sheds bright light over radius of two miles.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08

The most hideous, industry in this country is snake fsfm near Galton, Ill. Tho proprietor raises snakes of various kinds but makea speciality of rattle snakes. A f5n iQ Philadelphia has given . standing ordehfor all the rattle snakes the farm can produce They are worth $a.25 each when they attain a length of four feet These snakes are bought to be stewed into an oil which is advertised to cure rheumatism.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Endeav0r.

Endeavor. "Wh,t la t thou for thy scattered seed, O Sowe. of ths plaini Where are the many gathered sheaves Thy hope should bring again" "The only record of my work Lies in the buried grain" 70 Conqueror of thousand fields! In dinted armor dight, Wkas growths of purblo amaranth Shall crown thy brow of mightF' "Only the blossom of my life
 Flung widely in the fight" "What is tho harvest of thy saints, Godl who dost abidel Wheregrow the garlands of thy chiefs In blood and sorrow dyeda What have thy servants for thy paiasT, This only-to have tried" Julia Ward Howe.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
most remarkable thu

A most remarkable thunderbolt swooped down from the clouds at Schoren. in Switzerland, recently, and was described by the French Academy of Sciences by M. Daniel Colladon the other day. It struck and demolished a large poplar and spread havoc for some hundreds of yards around, ''comparable to the effects causel by the explosion of . powder magazine" The shock was felt in Langcnthal, three quarters of mile away, where several windows in Q house were smashed by if,
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08

Of the thirteen islands constituting the Hawaiian group eight arc inhabited. The population of tho islands has so steadily decreased in the little more than a century since Capt. Cook visited them that it is now estimated at about S0,- 900. Of these about one half are ma tives of the islands, the balance being made up of IT, 900 Chinese, 2OO0 Amcri- cans 1900 English, 10. 900 Portuguese and handfu.s of other nationalities The trade of the kingdom foots up about SIS. 900, 900. 50, 900, OoO being cx- ports, More than 90 per cent. of the trade of the islands is with the United Qt afeQ
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08

On the Battery, near tho Barge office in New York, it is proposed to set up a large bronze tablet with the following inscriptions: "Here, at the White Hall, General Washington took barge on tho fourth day of December, 17s3, after his farewell to his officers. Erected by the New York Southern Society, in behalf of the citizens of New York, February 22. 1SSS.n
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Night is Mother of tho Day.

Hove tho dark, the solemn night
 That rcigns in beauty grand and cold; Hove to watch, upon the height
 The stars that dawn like worlds of gold; They haunt the skies in shining hosts, From west to east, from south to north. As proud as suns, as hushed as ghosts. Isse them wheeling grAndly forth. Hove the splendor-smiling morn That turns to gold the eastern gray; love the dazzling day, newborn
 But night is mother of the day. o death, majestic as the nightl The soul looks through its prison bars And sees upon thy darkened height
 Eternal worlds wheel forth like stars; There is no darkness that can hide
 The immortality of man. By night the stars are glorified,
 And so is life by deaths dark plan. Beyond the fleeting hour of gloom
 Life holds its everlasting sway, And all our hopes burst into bloom,
 For night is mother of the dayl ]LErnest w. Shurtlef, in Youths Con panion.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Naming the RAhy.

'1sn't it cute little thing" said Mrs. Gushly to her husband, as sho held the baby up to him.
 "Yes, it is, and doesn't it look like me! It's got some of my ways already. pll wager that it'll grow up to bc just like me. By the way, we haven't named it yet What would you suggesta'
 Well, ifyou're anything of prophet I'd take chances right now on naming il Ananias. ''T Washington Critic.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Driving Up tho Chickens.

Charles Deubler, of Dawson, Ga., has shepherd dog that drives his chick ems up at night. About sundown the dog begins his rounds over the premises, and never stops until every fowl is driven up and is in the hen-house. If a chicken shows disposition not to retire to its roasting place the dog drives it in the hcn-housc and stands guard at the door until the chicken takes percl on the roost.-- Chicago Herald.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Two Views.

Owner to stranger-That property is worth $37 900; I wouldn't take cent less.
 Stranger-Well, don't want to buy; I am only an assessor, making out the roll for taxes
 Owner-Oh, I beg pardon. I should consider myself fortunate if I could get $17, 900 for that property.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
HUMOROUS

Anatomical punshment--Heart beat ing.
 Song of the bees .Hum, sweet hum." f's The best thing on record is the deed of corner lot.
 When looking for lodgings inqu'ra within, or go without.
 A joint ommittee-Thrcc doctors re-, ducing dislocated shoulder. .rsss. \. { What the dcpositor wants to know is not hut his money ia all right, hutithat it's all left & 'tly { ''There is more pleasure in giving than \ receiving" This is particularly tru in the matter of advice. Some physicians say disease is trans.s mitted by kissing. Heart disease is, and the only remedy is matrimony.
 Tho sultan had all the women in bia harem vacclnated because he was afraid 7. they would break out otherwise.
 Thompson-''Supposo a man should \ call you Q liaS, what should you do '' Jones (hcsitatingly)-. "What sized mani Y At mountain resort. .-'And is tho>> air healthy hcre9" 'Excellcnt, sir, ex- collent. Ono can become centenariau .. here in little while" : -QEt
 Employcr-Youug man, you don't know beansl Employe- Don't be in- cautious in your statements, sir. came z here from a coffee factory.
 '.It's no use to feel of me wrist, doc. ther," said Pat, whom the physician be- gan taking his pulse, ''the pain is not there, sir, it's in me head entoirc'y."
 When soda founts begin to fizz
 And Sol asserts his power,
 Tho champion baseballist is
 The hero of the hour.
 Augustus, dcar," said the gentle girl, tcnderly brushing him from her, as the moonlight flooded the bay window where they wera standing, q think you had better try some other hair dye; your mustache tastes like turpentine." eI An old lady said she could not tell \ her mincc pics from her apple pies with out cutting them, and was advised to mark them. She did so, and compla- gently remarked: 'This I've marked' 1T. M.'-'Tis mincc; and that T. M.' -'Taint mincc.
 Brakeman-But don't you think that $1 50 day is rather small pay fof IS hours work on the top of a freight carl Superintendent-But you forget that we charge nothing for travelling. Let's eco, you ride something like 200 miles daily, ' and it doesn't cost you cent. 'Nl4 MARINE ARIsroCRACY. Oh! thou, whose proud bosom is swelled with emotion,
 When using the "arins" which your grand.
 sires possessed,
 Go! look at the children of old Father Ocean,
 And you'll see every swell" there. is sporting a crest."
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
A Sufficient Reason.

Miss B.-''Why is it, Mir. A, that whenever you refer to Boston friend you invariably use the word fellow~
 New Yorker-'Oa, because he be- longs around the Hub, you know. "-- TBoston Globe
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08
Connecticut Western. News.
PCBtfSREp AT CANAAN, lTcHFlei0 co, CORN. EVERY WEDNESpAY MORNING.
< c MKLEY, Editor and Proprietor. Local News n Speciality,
TERMSi

&2.OO per year, if paid strictly in advance If not peid at the expiration of three months o2. 26 Win be charged.
 Bubsuribe1 desiring their papers discon- t1nued must give notice at the EXPIRATION of their subscriptions, any previous notice not Sehg sufficient |; and unless all arrearages are paid, papers wiIl not then be discontinued ,aye q tho option of tho pubhsher.
Connecticut western news., 1887-06-08

It take. tho tu.ks of hS, 900 elephant. per year to supply the worlds ivory piano keys, billiara balls and knife- handles. The elephant is said to be slowly but surely ,becomSpg extinct.
Connecticut western news., 1887-03-09
HENRY WARD BEECHER DEAD.

Henry Ward Beecher was stricken with apoplexy, at his home on Hicks street, Brooklyn, last Saturday morning He was taken i'll on Thursday but his condition was not alarming until Satur- day morning when sudden change for the worse took place, and 1t was then discovered that he was suffering from an apoplectic attack. He gradually lost consciousness during the day. He lay in deeply comatose condition until o'clock Tuesday morning, when he ex- pired, surrounded by his family and friends who tearfully awaited the end.
 Henry Ward Beecher, the eighth child of Lyman and Roxana Foote Beecher, was born in Litchtield, Conn., June 24, 1913. This is the o0th year of MT Beecher's marriage, the 5Oth of his ordination to the ministry and the 10th of his pastorate of Plymouth church. His congregation and friends intended to celebrate these events in September, in the Brooklyn academy of music.
Connecticut western news., 1887-03-09
Sunday School Convention.

The Fifth International (Tenth Ma tionaD Sunday-School Convention of the United States and Territories, will be held (D. VI in the city of Chicago, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June l, ? and 3, 1887.
 The sessions will be held in the build ing known as Battery D. Armory, on Michigan Ave, between Monroe and Adams streets. Three sessions will be held daily From 93O a. m. to 12 m 2.3O to 5 p. m., and from to 10 in the evening. The building will accommo- date between 4,5OO and 5000 people.
 For full call of this convention, the general programme outline, number of delegates entitled to attend, reduced rates of hotel entertainment, etc., see Sunday School Times of Feb. 26, 1887.
Connecticut western news., 1887-03-09
SH

The funeral service of Mrs Laura M, 7, widow of the late John Taft, who died suddenly last Friday, was held Sunday at two o'clock from her late residence, east side of the river Rev MT Mackey officiated
 Our Friendly Union closed its winter session last Friday evening under most favorable circumstances, the weather and sleighing fine, and the lecture given by Delavan c. Scoville, Esq of New York, was considered one of the best of the season. Subject Liberty.' It was historical, beginning with Greece and Rome, and taking us along down to the present time, and in most eloquent and interesting language and manner gave us many facts to remember. At the close, officers were chosen for another year: President, Charles O.. Dewey |: presidents, Rev J. s. Ellis and Mrs W. H. G. Temple secretary, Mrs J. l.. Miller treasurer. Miss Mary Hillyer.
 The ladies aid society of the NJ. E. church, will meet this Wednesday evening, at the residence of Mrs E. J. Vosburgh in this village.
 MT John Gray, who has been resi- dent of this town two years past, and last year was chosen a member of the school board, is soon to leave us with his family for West Brookfeld, Mass where he has leased d farm.
 At the Congregational .sociable held at Flint Smiths last week there was a large attendance and the receipts were S21.Oo
Connecticut western news., 1887-03-09
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9. 1887.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.

Two important bills were favorably reported to the senate, one in regard to costs in factorizing, and the other pro- viding for weekly payments.
 Notwithstanding the unfavorable re- port of the committee on bill to the effect that every town shall be exempt from taxation to an amount equal to the amount which the soldiers exemption law has taken from the towns revenue, it passed the senate.
 Senator Hill, chairman of the con- mittee on interpretations, rendered a favorable report on the act incorporat- ing the Tobacco Reform Union. The charter is applied for by gentlemen who have pledged themselves to abstain from the use of tobacco in any form, and they desire to form an association for the purpose of exerting all possible influence against the use of it by others. The resolution passed the senate.
 The resolution offered by Senator Staub, appropriatiug slO0 for the pur- pose of procuring portraits of the four lieutenant. nt.governors who have presided in the new capitol, passed the senate.
 On Tuesday, March ?, 1886. the highest calender number in the house was 22S, and the highest number on file 219 on the corresponding session day of the present year. the highest number on calendar was 135 and the highest file number 126.
 On Wednesday hearing was granted on the bills relating to woman suffrage. The hall of the house of representatives was we'll filled by an audience composed chiefly of ladies. Four bills have beer presented and there were advocates oi each bill who spoke ably in its defence Judge Sheldon of New Haven, Judge Slade of Bridgeport, Mrs Lillie Dever. eau1 Blake of New York, and Mrs Emily P. Collins of Hartford, were among those who appeared in support of ths bills. Judge Sheldon remarked tha Connecticut was the only state of th' New England group. in which womel are denied the privilege of voting a school elections.
 The act requiring selectmen to furnisl semi-annually to liquor dealers list o paupers and prohibiting the furnishing of liquor to the same, passed the house
 The bill limiting the hours of labo for a man, woman or child, to ten, wa adversely reported and rejected.
 The bill regulating the running o Sunday trains has passed both tn, senate and the house.